Forecast Calls For New Advisories

The National Hurricane Center is planning to simplify public advisories associated with tropical storms and asking for your feedback.

The advisories, found on the hurricane center's website, are a summary of a storm forecast and status. Residents have complained the advisories are cumbersome, hurricane center officials said.

The center, in Miami-Dade County, has devised a proposed advisory that provides a rundown of a storm's location, maximum speed, movement and pressure. Then it is divided into categories, including watches and warnings, a discussion and 48-hour outlook and storm hazards.

To see the proposed new format and let the officials know what you think, visit the hurricane center's site, www.nhc.noaa.gov. Then look under "Top news of the day."

The proposed format probably won't be put in use by next year, said senior hurricane specialist Dan Brown.